OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Other Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers Scott bonnar 35

Thankyou Greg.Yeah a while back I may have traded it too,since I only sought Victa.But I kinda fell for this one.I do like the rarer/unusual models.I have most of the early Victas and you can only have so many Rotomos before you think..Erm what am I doing???lols.So its time to expand into some less common and unusual models now.Ty is Teasing me with tidings of VCS,Im slowly coming around to their retro styling.Also Im kinda getting sick of Victa GREEN.lols.

Hence my painting my Victa Special coffee table blue, Mal!!

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For Scott Bonnar enthusiasts, I took these photos at a recent museum open day near Adelaide. The mower is an 18 inch Model 31 with Scott Bonnars own 155cc engine. This mower has a pressed steel base and was first produced in 1958. It's probably quite rare now.
Regards,
Grant.

Fantastic Grant,Id heard snippets of a model 31 but Ive never seen one.I knew their must have been another model between the "Spin" and the 35 since their was maybee 2 years I couldnt account for.I was sure the 35 didnt start until around 59-60,please correct me if im wrong:)This is really something quite unique.Pity its not for sale.Thanks for the Images Grant,youve pretty much fit the last model to the SB rotary puzzle!Awesome:)

Here's another:

Scott Bonnar 22

Yes I do like yours Ty,I remember I was looking at it a while back when you found your Binned mower haul.It looks familiar to me for some reason,Im gonna do some more checking on this one,Going by SBs styling Id say it is a utility version,Funny thing is to me it looks more modern than the 31 Grant posted earlier,his is so archaic and looks very much its age where as yours seems later despite its 22 tag.Curious both of thses units,I like them both:)Im gonna do some more digging and see what comes of it.Your base "boss still appears to be like the later SBs,Im sure you will find a plate to fit:)If I find anything youll be the first to know:)

It is an interesting model, once I have the blade disk, this one will be re-restored, I have recently found out that it's previous owner did not restore it to it's correct colours or decals, and now that I know the correct colouring, and where to get the right "Spin Cut" decal, I can't wait to complete this one!

Yes colour is definately wrong in my opinon,Ive seen The spinner in yellow and red/orange,BUT ive only seen 3 lols,as is the decal,VERY wrong lols.And the decal for the "Spinners"has been repicated by a couple.If your in any need of SB stickers for all the models I can point you in the right direction:)Cant wait to see this one done,will be awesome.If you need to modify a base to suit or repair an original let me know,I have all the welders stick,Migs and Tigs at my disposal.we can always make one if you can get a sample.This is one mower in my opinion that is worth spending that little bit extra on:)With the addition of Grants 31 sitting after yours and Im almost certain as Ive been told by a few the "Spin cut" is the first,we are just about unraveling all the rotary models,With the Introduction of the 35s SBs first MASS Produced Rotary,Id not expected to see or read much about the few in between.Ephemera and brochures for this period prior to the 35 was almost non existant,Just like the early Victas,mostly relying on Newspaper advertisments makes it real hard to get accuracy and even a definative model count or line up,So its Awesome to see yours and Grants in the flesh. Its been quite a productive few weeks for SB Rotary Info,Its gonna make accuracy in restoration for these so much easier.Thankyou for eveyones contributions,I for one am most appreciative.:)

Mal.

Hi All,
These should be the last Progress Images before completion.I will final shoot when Im done.Wheels preped,magister fitted,handle bars on.Fuel line,throttle control and cable and the last badge left to go,and im done....Then On to the next one...Enjoy:)

Thats looking Awesome! Beautiful job!

Hi Bluegmhtmonaro Ty has told me you need the bottom part of the starter.I have been scratching my head a lot.As I'm sure I have one here that I just can't find.I just know I have one but can't find the [Censored] thing.I'm sure it's in the garage,but you should see the garage,it's just a mess of tools mower parts cars and car parts.I will get in there in the next few days and have a really good look.When you've finished restoring yours,would you like to do mine as well?Thanks mate.I was just looking at the black box on the side honest I wasn't trying to pull it through the monitor.Also where and what are the wheels from they don't look like the same as the original ones.[Censored] these Scott Bonnar rotary's they have converted me.Who would have thought I'd be sitting here on this forum talking about something other than Victa's? [Censored] them! Oh yeah nice work so far.

Hi and thankyou Blumbly,
Thats ok,A scale drawing will be just fine,I dont mind replicating one:)Besides who knows what evil lurks in THE SHED,Having you best interests in mind,Hrrrmmm Cough splutter*I may need some SB parts in the future...lols.
As for the wheels Yes they are original,I turned them on the lathe,As you can accept the wheels being plastic get minced up a fair bit and they are not available in AM as Victa ones are,so I smootheed the surface,purely to support the rest of the mower,(I was not going to have Tatty wheels for the sake of originality in this case,and besides like yours they where already worn down a fair bit)The internal disc and pattina is still original.They are a clip lock wheel,the two halves can be seperated:)I actually took the close up of the Magi for your benefit,so you can see it in clear detail:)
And yes I do love these mowers,They have style and character,I want a few more,A council 35 would be nice as I have an early 35 non magister,around 5/9 im not sure but the engine no suggests its a first generation:)
While my colours are close they are not a match.The gold is more a sunlit gold and the green is an exact colour match but darker shade.I wasnt going to buy 3 colour matched paints at like maybee 150.00,not worth it!So far I have spent 80.00 and about 20 hours of my time,so im happy:)
Thankyou Also Greg for your Comments,They are most apprecitated

Cool I don't know what I'm going to do about my wheels all 4 have major cracks in the centre parts.Not sure that they can be fixed.

How is this one progressing? Also did the other mowers you had to collect pan out? I couldn't find the other starter ring,so what did you want me to do with my one so you can copy it?

Yes just finsihing of the wheels,as you know they require more work than the whole mower,lols.I hopped onto another couple of projects in between.Un fortunately both mowers fell thru,one was just to far and not cost effective,but she was another early 35(shame)and the other way to modern for me as I stop at 47.How is yours coming along?No worries at all Blumbly,thanks for looking.Just trace it holes and all,mark the front and fax it up to me if you can.If your unsure the sizing will be in accurate from the scan/fax.Just write the diameter of the outer and inner is fine.+ thickness,I can work out the rest.Please just make sure you mark the front for me.Ill PM you my fax when your ready.

Regards Mal.

OK then I'll trace it out and draw the holes you need in it.I'll measure the thickness as well.Also after I have pulled it off (as the starter and cowl are still together)I'll add some pictures of it up here as well.My 35 I guess won't go much further than it has until I can get myself the infamous black box.I guess without it it is useless.So where is the other 35? Even if I can't get there I will find a way to get it.I need that [Censored] black box.I really want to finish this mower off.

Lols...The mower is an earlier 35 Blumbly,series 2 I think going of the numbers,the first 2 series where Non Magister" so it cant help you either:(Im still looking for you so be patient,I have 20 guys looking for one at present so lets see what comes of it..If my coil didnt work I was gonna modify a coil to suit.Truthfully it would probaly run with the internall anyways,if there is enough power to go into the secondry theres enough power to run it,in part this system was a gimic and an assurance it could never fail under any circumstance,BUT it did....Regularly!!!!.just rewire it as you would any other mower,the wires you need are already there,so if it produces enough spark keep going,im sure it will be fine.And thankyou for the ring dimensions,saves me doing it blind.still cant find mine,it will turn up just when ive made the new one im sure. lols.

OK I'll get that done in the next couple of days for you.

Hi All,

I know that this is a little off topic but I just noted that there appears to be a SB 2 stroke engine for sale in Adelaide on Gumtree. Thought that this may be of interest to someone that is after parts.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/salisbury-area/other-stuff-for-sale/stationary-motors/355042259

Cheers,
Sir_Chook

Great work mate, this advert below may be of some interest to you for this mower. She was on sale in March of 63 for 69 pounds.

The Sydney Morning Herald Archive

Great work there Plymouthbel.That gives me an approximate date on my Scott Bonnar model 35.

Clearing out my shed and finally got back to taking the final pics of The Scott Bonnar 35.
This is all but finished with the exception of the throttle control which even until now ive been unable to source.

At the start of this restoration,very limited info and complete original exaples existed in the forums. So The main purpose for this rebuild was to offer an accurate example of Scott Bonnar's Model 35 for the archives.

This should be a very accurate representation of this model at the time of release.

All parts are original,even the consumables....Air filter fuel line blades and cap seal.

Colours are non SB but are as close to original as could be sourced.

Wheels and tyres have been repaired and modified slightly on the faces.
As you can appreciate ALL SB wheels are in very poor condition and options other than major repairs are not available. Nos could not be sourced nor have i ever seen any.

Hope this helps other SB 35 Enthusiasts to complete their restoration easier.

I hope to get some SHOW" Images shortly but for now here are some at 98% complete stage.

Stunning work as always Mal, it's a pleasure to see your photos. Many thanks for posting them

Cheers, Michael

Hi Bluegmhtmonaro and ODK members,

This is the most stunning restoration of a Model 35.
These are a well-proportioned and handsome machine.
Congratulations.

I look forward to the SHOW images!

p.s. Is the throttle control like any of these:
http://www.villiersparts.co.uk/cable.html

All very interesting.
-------------------------------------
JACK

Hi Mal,
What can one say....Bloody awesome mate. A brilliant resto of a not well known machine...Just a joy to look at.
I can't wait to see the Show pics either!
My to you Mal,

Thanks Guys,appreciate the comments...
Ill have to look CJ as It could be villiers since its running an amal...Need to find a close up of one again. One came up on evil bay a while back but I missed it.
Thanks Deejay hope its of benefit for Sb Enthusiasts.

A History Record is now available for the Model 22 & 31 HERE.